Infrared decoy

Abstract

A floating torch burning polydimethylsiloxane to provide a decoy over the intermediate infrared spectrum of a ship.

What is claimed, and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of the United States, is: 
     
       1. A ship decoy having products of combustion that produce a spectral distribution in the intermediate infrared band with a ratio close to unity between the radiant intensities of the three to five micron band and the eight to thirteen micron band comprising: a source of a liquid fuel;   the fuel having products of combustion rich in silicon dioxide and poor in free carbon;   a nozzle to project the fuel into a spray pattern;   a mechanism to expel the fuel from the source through the nozzle; and   means for igniting the spray.   
     
     
       2. The decoy set forth in claim 1 wherein the fuel is a polymer of dimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
       3. The decoy set forth in claim 2 wherein the nozzle mixes the fuel with air in a ratio of less than three times stoichiometry. 
     
     
       4. The decoy set forth in claim 2 or 3 wherein the fuel has a viscosity between 2.0 and 10.0 centistokes at 25° C. 
     
     
       5. The decoy set forth in claim 2 or 3 wherein the fuel has a viscosity of about 5.0 centistokes at 25° C.